NDP leadership candidate Ashton attacks Lewis on provincial relationships, energy projects in final debate

NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis said the party is 'allowed to have differences on specific issues,' and facing criticism from Rob Ashton, warned they should avoid 'doing our opponent’s work.'

NDP leadership candidates Heather McPherson, left, Rob Ashton, and Avi Lewis. McPherson said the federal NDP 'cannot be picking fights' with its provincial sections. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

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BY ELEANOR WAND

February 19, 2026

NDP leadership candidate Rob Ashton called out Avi Lewis for his approach to provincial relationships in the final debate of the contest, accusing his competitor of “destroying” Alberta New Democrat electoral chances due to his work advocating against fossil fuels a deca...

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